Encourage Sustainable Blue Economy, PIS Performs Marine Conservation In Sabang

PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS)

PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) planted 1000 coral reef fragments in Ujung Teungku, Iboih, Sabang.

PIS Corporate Secretary Muhammad Baron said that this activity was carried out in maintaining the Indonesian marine ecosystem through the CSR Marine BiodiversEAty program and became part of a sustainable strategy to support the creation of a healthy marine ecosystem.

Through this program, we want to ensure that marine ecosystems in Indonesia are maintained, from the central region to the end of the region such as Sabang. Each location is chosen based on conservation urgency and its potential impact on the local ecosystem," he said in his statement, quoted on Sunday, August 24.

He said that Sabang was chosen this year not without reason, because as one of Indonesia's outer lines, Sabang has a strategic position in completing the distribution of coral reefs in other locations that have been carried out by PIS.

In addition, Baron added that Sabang also has extraordinary marine tourism potential and its economy mainly relies on the marine tourism and fisheries sectors, so that marine sustainability becomes vital for the welfare of the local community.

Baron said that the transplant activity was carried out through several stages and started with an educational session regarding the importance of the coral reef ecosystem delivered by Rubiah Tirta Divers, the first diving center in Aceh.

"This education is aimed at Pertamina officers who participate, in order to understand the important role of corals in supporting marine life," he said.

He said that the 1000 Academy transplant in Sabang is targeted to maintain productivity in the blue carbon ecosystem with a carbon absorption potential of 0.4 tons of carbon emissions equivalent to a year (0.4 tCO2e a year).

The decline in the role of coral reefs itself is not as the main carbon absorber, but will indirectly protect the run-up and mangrove ecosystems to increase overall blue carbon stock capacity.

As is known, the blue ecosystem is well supported by three vital elements, namely mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs.

The three of them are interconnected and have played a major role in carbon absorption, protection of coastline from abrasion, and maintaining the sustainability of marine biodiversity which is a source of life for coastal communities.

As for 2024, there have been a total of 35,000 mangroves, 3,200 seagrass, and 3,100 fragments of coral reefs that have been successfully planted.

The coral planting activity in Aceh also involves local communities assembling coral fragments on an iron frame that functions as a growing medium and this process is then followed by direct planting of corals through diving activities in conservation areas.

He added that he would not stop at the planting stage, Rubiah Tirta Divers would carry out routine monitoring in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months.

Baron said that this step was taken to ensure corals grow well and evaluate the effectiveness of the transplant method used.

The involvement of local communities is also an important part of the program. By participating in the transplant process and monitoring, the community is expected to benefit in the form of a healthier marine environment and economic opportunities from the sustainable marine tourism sector, Baron continued.

This program is in line with the goals of sustainable development (TPB/SDGs) point 8 (creation of decent work and economic growth), point 13 (handling climate change) and point 14 (conserving the ocean ecosystem) and point 17 (cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals).

In addition, this program also fulfills three main aspects of the principles of Environment, Social and Governance (LST/ESG).

Baron said this step is proof that protecting marine ecosystems is not only the responsibility of the government or the environmental community, but also part of the company's role in ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.